Develop New Leaders While Supporting Your Community

Would your business or organization like to develop future leaders, expand networking opportunities and invest in the community while setting an example for others?

Every year, many of the area’s most successful companeis reap these and other rewards by participating in Heart of Florida United Way’s (HFUW) Loaned Executive program.

As HFUW gears up for its 2008-09 annual fundraising campaign, the organization is seeking 25 to 30 full- or part-time candidates to work alongside its Resource Development team in planning, managing and executing the campaign.

Last year, Loaned Executives sponsored by Darden Restaurants, Inc.; Deloitte & Touche LLP; OUC-The Reliable One; the Orlando Magic; Publix Super Markets, Inc.; SeaWorld; Tupperware Brands Corporation; UPS; Walt Disney Company; and others played an integral part in raising $17,757,000 to help fund local health and social service programs that assisted more than 376,930 Central Floridians.

Leadership Development
In addition to helping the community, Loaned Executives refine or develop new professional skills in marketing, networking, leadership, sales, project management, organization, public speaking and other areas, according to Lillian Garcia, Executive Vice President & Chief Human Resources Officer for Worldwide Tupperware Brands Corporation, a long-time program supporter.

Garcia noted that participating employees have returned to the company with enhanced professional skills and greater awareness of community issues. “It’s an invaluable tool for developing company leaders who have compassion for the needs of people and the community,” she said.

Ken Ksionek, General Manager and CEO for OUC-The Reliable One, characterizes the program as a win-win. “It’s an opportunity for companies to develop rising talent by giving them new skills, new connections and a better understanding of how our company is linked to the community we serve,” Ksionek said. “The employee benefits, the company benefits and, ultimately, so does the entire community.”

The 13-week program, which runs August through mid-November, begins with a week of intensive classroom and hands-on training that teaches candidates how to promote and optimize workplace campaigns run by more than 450 local companies. In making corporate business calls and presentations, Loaned Executives also cultivate new relationships that have long-term business benefits for all involved.

What it Takes
According to Leigh Smith, Heart of Florida United Way Development Vice President, Loaned Executive candidates should be goal-oriented self-starters who have strong interpersonal skills and an interest in community service. Employees at all stages of their career, from new associates to seasoned professionals, are welcome. Companies can also support the program by donating funds to sponsor a candidate. “United Way can recruit, hire and train well-qualified candidates, who sponsoring companies have the option of interviewing and hiring at the end of the program,” Smith said.

To learn more about the Loaned Executive program, contact HFUW Senior Development Manager Beth Ann Carr at (407) 835-0900, ext. 247, or e-mail Beth.Carr@hfuw.org.

Additional information about Heart of Florida United Way, including the Loaned Executive program, is also available at http://www.hfuw.org/.